Washington (CNN) - Most Democrats say they'd support Hillary Clinton if she wins their party's nomination, but a new national survey indicates only a minority are excited about that prospect.

The CNN/ORC International poll released Sunday also indicates the race for the GOP nomination remains a wide open contest with no obvious frontrunner among the potential Republican White House hopefuls.

According to the survey, 63% of Democrats and independents who lean toward the party said they'd most likely support Clinton as the nominee.

That's virtually unchanged from CNN's May poll, but down from the seven in 10 Democrats who in February said that they'd back the former secretary of state, senator and first lady.

Clinton has been the overwhelming frontrunner for the nomination in just about every national and state poll conducted over the past 18 months.

Twenty-percent of those questioned said they'd support a more conservative Democrat for the nomination, with 11% saying they'd back a more liberal candidate.

"Clinton remains the prohibitive frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, but there are signs that rank-and-file Democrats may be willing to consider other candidates," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

Forty-one percent of Democrats questioned said they'd be enthusiastic if Clinton wins the nomination, with 42% saying they'd be satisfied. One in 10 said they'd be dissatisfied, and 5% said they'd be upset.

"There are big differences between liberal and moderate Democrats that indicate that a primary challenger who runs to the right of Clinton may get more traction than a progressive challenger would," adds Holland.

"Fifty percent of liberal Democrats say they would be enthusiastic about Clinton winning the nomination, but only 36% of moderate Democrats feel the same way.

"Nearly three-quarters of liberals pick Clinton over her hypothetical opponents. Among moderate Democrats, that figure dropped to 58%," he added.

The poll's release comes nearly a week into Clinton's book tour for her much anticipated memoir, "Hard Choices."

In an interview leading up to the book tour, Clinton said she would announce her decision regarding a second White House run sometime early next year.

GOP nomination hunt wide open

Just as almost every public opinion poll has pointed to Clinton as the prohibitive frontrunner, the same surveys suggest that the GOP nomination is a free-for-all among the potential contenders.

According to the CNN survey, 14% of Republicans and independents who lean toward the GOP said they'd likely back Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, with 12% likely to support former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Nine percent of Republicans questioned said they'd likely support Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 8%.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who was unsuccessful in his 2012 bid for the nomination, is at 6%, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker pulls in 5%. Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a 2012 GOP presidential candidate, gets 4%.

Taking into account the poll's sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points, the GOP nomination hunt is up for grabs among the potential contenders.

The survey was conducted for CNN by ORC International May 29-June 1, with 1,003 adults nationwide, including 481 Democrats and independents who lean towards the party, and 452 Republicans and independents who lean toward the GOP, questioned by telephone.

soundoff(146 Responses)

j – Hillary was kicked out of court for incessant lying wen working on the Watergate trial

Oh, you mean the proofless accusation made by a guy in a book in 2006 that was used in a viral e-mail in 2008 by all sorts of GOP frontmen and women and still is a proofless accusation?

As one the fact-check websites I checked the story said (more or less): 'The fact that there are no proofs to back up these claims doesn't actually means that they are lies, but that is only hearsay for now.' (and the book is from 2006! Where are the´proofs?)

June 15, 2014 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

Brian

We could have another Clinton or Bush in the White House. Either way, we are all screwed.

June 15, 2014 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |

Republiker

Being First Lady does not qualify her to be President. Nothing else she's done qualifies her. The only good thing about a Billary Kankles Presidency is maybe she will bring back the White House furniture she stole.

One thing is for absolute certain, voting for Hillary will be the equivilent of voting for Obama for a third term. If thats what you want then go ahead and vote for her...but Just dont think she will be different from Obama.

June 15, 2014 12:10 pm at 12:10 pm |

Mike

I dont know why the Dems would be all excited about Granny Clinton she looks old and tired.

June 15, 2014 12:13 pm at 12:13 pm |

DanaRi

She's had her chance. It's time to move aside and let the next person win.

June 15, 2014 12:14 pm at 12:14 pm |

Mike

How sad to see a 69 yr old tired Granny in the White House. Yes, America we've got tired and same ideas. Yawn!

June 15, 2014 12:18 pm at 12:18 pm |

alohagw

I can hardly wait for the open mic accident and her foul mouth!

June 15, 2014 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |

rs

The uncomfortable truth is: the GOP has no one who can win a national election- for a whole host of reasons. Hence, their only hope is to attack in turn every Democrat that might think to run. Democratic enthusiasm? Its for anyone without an affiliation to the crazy and morally bankrupt Right.

June 15, 2014 12:41 pm at 12:41 pm |

sam

Clinton has a dismal record unless facts don't matter. Democrats have better candidates.

June 15, 2014 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Steve Allard

I'm not excited about Hillary but will vote against the GOP candidate if it's another lame selection like last time. It seems as though the GOP is determined not to be taken seriously.

June 15, 2014 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Wandering CPA

Not particularly excited about the prospect of Ms. Clinton running for President. But, given the likely Republican alternatives, what choice will we really have.

June 15, 2014 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |

what me worry

Why would we want another democratic president? So we can see this country get kicked dropped in the dirt I suppose. Look at Detroit that had decades of democratic rule!! Hillary would only further Obama's agenda to make this a socialist country where the government owns you and you own nothing unless they say you do!!

June 15, 2014 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |

CC333

Unfortunately the time for Hillary has passed. The nation is ready to move on and need great candidates. Hillary should retire and enjoy her grandchildren. I had high hopes for her six years ago, but since her loss and the connection to this administration has destroyed any hopes for my vote. I would prefer her not too run, but it doesn't really matter as the democratic party has lost my support after 40 years.

I will vote for her because the GOP is full of Hatred, Greed and Stupidity. Under Bill Clinton we had a robust Economy and he will guide her if she gets in which I am 99% sure since the GOP is so Pathetic.

June 15, 2014 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |

Joyce

You have got to be kidding me.

June 15, 2014 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |

what me worry

Heres a question for the Dems and libs,,,, Will you give up your guns if a law passes to surrender them? Remember you're all for gun control.

June 15, 2014 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |

Anonymous

Time for a third party.

June 15, 2014 01:07 pm at 1:07 pm |

K mills

Please Hillary..Go Away, far far away. I've had enough of the Clintons to last a life time. What could she possibly add to a successful Govt? More far left leaning ideology that has put this country on the brink of ruination?

June 15, 2014 01:15 pm at 1:15 pm |

gabe

The Democratic party is morally bankrupt. They only care about a lust for power by winning elections. Their agenda is controlled by whatever gains them votes. A totally self-serving cycle for their party. It's party first, country second. And yes, they too are well-connected to Wall St. and corporate giants like the other party.

June 15, 2014 01:15 pm at 1:15 pm |

Vijay

I am not excited... I am a liberal.

June 15, 2014 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |

DG

Who would be enthusiastic when considering it will be another 8 years of vicious character assassination from the Right while offering zero solutions of their own?

At the end of it all, I want a Democrat holding the veto pen in the White House, to stop these nut-job Republicans from turning the country into a theocratic, paranoid, compassionless, corporatist, science-denying, environment-disrespecting, gun-violence-immersed nation. Whether it's Clinton or another Democrat doesn't matter.